Electric-lighting system



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. EDMUNDS, Jr ELECTRIC LIGHTING SYSTEM.

No. 495,932. Patented Apr. 18, 1893.

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(No Model.)

H. EDMUNDS, J1;

EL EGTRIG LIGHTING SYSTEM.

No. 495,932.. Patented Apr. 18, 1893 FIG. 5.

5;, %w E,% 7 a a 1 w UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY EDMUNDS, JR, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF NINE-TENTHS TO ALBERTSEOHRIST, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

ELECTRIC-LIGHTING SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 495,932., dated April18, 1893.

Application filed October 19, 1892. Serial No. 449,389.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY EDMUNDS,J1., a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, residing at 2 Victoria Mansions, in the city of Westminster,London, county of Middlesex, and Kingdom of England, have invented a newand useful Electric-Lighting System, (for which I have obtaineda patentin Great Britain, No. 5,670, dated the 29th of March, 1884,) [c of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of the present invention is to give greater facilities thanheretofore for economically and efficiently controlling the supply ofelectricity to lamps and especially incandescent lamps, whether singlyor in groups used in the lighting of houses and similar structures.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is a diagram view explanatory ofmy arrangement of circuit connections and devices for controlling thesupply of electricity to lamps.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a fixed socket containing terminals for theattachment of a lamp bracket. Fig. 3 is a front viewof apair 2 5 ofhooks adapted to engage with the said fixed terminals. Fig. a is asectional side View of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a front view of a switch forcontrolling the current to an electric pilot light in its open orinoperative position the cover being moved to show the interior. Fig. 6is a similar view of this switch in its closed or operative position.Fig. 7 represents my improved arrangement for operating a main lineswitch from a distance by the feeble current from a Leclanch or othersmall battery. Fig. 8 shows another form of main line switch adapted tobe similarly operated. Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of bridge piece andelectro-magnet by which the lighting or extinguishing of a pilot lampmay be automatically governed by the removal or insertion of adetachable bracket lamp. Figs. 10 are detail views of my snap connectionfor attaching lamps to their sock- 45 ets or detaching them therefrom.

In applying my improved arrangements of electrical connections to say,forexample, a drawing room, I fit to the wall or other surface one ormore sockets adapted to receive 50 detachable electric lamps and Iprovide a permanent lamp in the center of the ceiling or (No model.)Patented in England March 29, 1884, No. 5,670.

elsewhere which I call a pilot lamp. Interposed in the circuitleading-to this pilot light is a switch controlled by an electro magnetwhich magnet is arranged and wound so as to be excited by the current orcurrents passing to the terminals in the sockets above referred to. Whenit is desired to illuminate the appartment at any particular place orplaces, one or more of the detachable lamps are connected with theterminal plates or wires of the fixed sockets, the current passes, andone or more lights are obtained. So soon however as this is done theelectro magnet is excited and operates the switch or bridge-piece bywhich the current had passed to the pilot lamp, automatically cuttingthat lamp outof the circuitand economizing the current. On detaching thelocal lamp or lamps on the contrary, the magnet becomes inoperafive, theswitch or bridge-piece falls or swings round and the pilot lamp is againrendered incandescent. The advantage of this automatic arrangement isthat sufficient light is afforded by the pilot lamp to enable theposition of the socket or sockets for a local detachable lamp or lampsto be easily found, and when the lamps have to be detached and removedelsewhere there is no necessity to grope for the door in the dark. Itmay however happen that the pilot lamp is required to be lighted at thesame time as the local lamps, andfor this purpose a double push springswitch is provided; pressure on one part thereof serving to force aspring or springs into close electrical contact with a locking catch orsocket, and pressure on the other part serving to disengage the springor springs therefrom. I arrange this auxiliary device in any convenientspot so that by simply pressing on one part or another of the switch,the pilot lamp (or it may be a group of lamps of which it forms oneelement) may be brought into use or extinguished. In order however tohave full control over these lamps it is necessary in addition to theforegoing arrangement of leads and circuit connections to provide forthe final extinguishing of all the lamps including the pilot lamp duringthe day or when householder retires to rest. This 100 I effect byabalance mercuryswitch or equivalent device operated by a pair of smallelectro magnets capable of being excited by a current from a singlesmall battery such as a Leclanch battery, and by a pair of push buttonsor switches, by which one or other of the magnets may be brought intoaction and the mercurial balance switch or equivalent lamp circuitmaking and breaking device be operated from any distance.

On quitting the drawing room for example, the pilot lamp of which roomis controlled by the foregoing arrangement, the said lamp may beextinguished from the hall or bedroom or other convenient part of thehouse, and no diversion of the valuable current from the storage batteryor other source of electricity for the lamps need take place, the feeblecurrent from a single Leclanch cell being fully sufficient for thepurpose. The extinction of the pilotlamp may be'also effected bydisengaging the lamp proper from its socket, and for this purpose thelamp is fitted with a pair of broad flat plates or springs with flangedouter extremities which are adapted to be inserted at right anglesbetween two parallel plates or bars of metal in the sockets, and onbeing turned by hand to snap into .placeagainst and in close contactwith the said parallel plates, and this simple connection may be appliedto all the lamps in the room.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings:--which represent aportion of a room and indicates the method of economically controllingthe several electric lights therein, according to my system, it shouldbe understood that altough represented as grouped in or closely aroundone apartment, the several circuit connections might be carriedout onthe same principle in several or all of the rooms in a house, andthatthe above diagram is given merely by way of example for the purposeof illustrating the principle of thearrangement on a simple scale. Inthis diagram A represents a detachable bracket carrying a lamp or lampsa. B represents an electric pilot light consisting of thelamp b, orit-might be cluster of lamps. 0 represents a movable armature or bridge.piece in the circuit leading to the pilot light B, and D is an electromagnet so arranged with respect to the fixed socket ofthe detachablebracket A that when this bracket is fixed in place the currentwill passthrough the coils of the magnet D on its way to the lamp a, and byexciting that magnet effect the lifting or deflection of the armature orbridge piece 0, and break the circuit by which the current passes to thepilot light B. Hence when entering the room the pilot lamp, beingincandescent, will enable the position of the detachable bracket A orthe point for its attachment to be found without difiiculty or accident,but when the said point has been found and the bracket A has been fixedin place the pilot lamp will be automaticallyextinguished. In

case, however, it is desired to have the pilot lamp or lamps alight,notwithstanding the presence in position of the bracket A, I arrange aby pass circuit e, 6 controlled by a push spring switch E. This switchunder normal conditions will be off as drawn in full lines, butbypushing it to the dotted position the circuit will be closed andcurrent will fiow to the pilot lamp or lamps.

To enable the current in a main. or principal lead to be electricallycontrolled without waste from any part of the house or structure Iarrange a switch as indicated at F in combination with a pair of electromagnets f',f which can be separately and alternately energized by thefeeble current from a Leclanch or other single cell battery G, by wiresg, g from any part of the house or structure. The magnets f, f arerespectively energized by completing the circuit connecting them withthe battery by push buttons such as g, 9 This arrangement enables all ora part only of the lights in the house (according to the importance ofthe lead in which the switch is located) to be lighted or extinguishedfrom any part of the house to which the small wires from the Leclanch orthe simple battery may be led, and without wasting the current from thegenerator or storage battery for that purpose. Finally it will beunderstood that the several lamps themselves (such .as a and b) may beindividually detached. from their supports by means of a spring snap,connection details of which will be given hereinafter.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and t1 represents the socket containingapairof insulated terminal plates 2, 2 secured in place by screw 3, 3 andelectrically connected with the flow and return wires 4, 4 respectively.5 represents a strong spring for locking the pins 6, 6 of the bracket Ain place, when they have been brought into engagement with the saidterminal plates 2, 2. The wires from the lamp a are attachedrespectively to the pins 6, 6, a fusible strip of mica and tin foil 7being interposed in one circuit. A is a block of wood on which the pins6, 6 are fixed, and S is a metal bearing plate for protecting the woodfrom cutting by the end of the spring 5; The plate 8 and spring 5 form alocking snap connection between the block A and fixed socket 1. It willbe obvious that other well known forms of detachable brackets forelectric lamps may be used in place of that above described incombination with the circuit connections leading to the pilot lamp andwith the movable bridge piece or switch 0 and automatic electro-magnetregulator D.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6 I will describe the construction of thedouble push spring switch indicated by letter E in the diagram viewFig. 1. 9 representsa wooden cylindrical box or case slotted atdiametrically opposite points for the reception of a double acting pushpiece 10, of insulating material, fitted midway of its length with asheath of metal 11, connected by a pair of spiral springs 12, 12 withthe bottom or back of the case.

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.one such as a black disk.

13 is a spring clip consisting of two separate and insulated halvesfitting rather closely around the sliding push piece 10 and having theirinner edges flared to allow of the insertion of the beveled or roundededge of the sheath 11. IVhen the push piece is in its operative positionone part of the branch circuit e is electrically connected to one halfof this spring clip, and-the other part of the circuit eto the otherhalf ofthe clip 13. Normally the switch is off, and the circuit brokenbetween the two halves of the clip 13, the springs 12, 12 thrusting backthe push piece 10; but when the push piece is thrust so that the metalsheath 11 enters and forces open the clip 13, the circuit e, e iscompleted and a light will pass to the pilot lamp at B, whether or notthe bracket A be in position. I distinguish the off and on ends of thepush piece 10 bya mark on This double push spring switch is intended tobe covered in by a rose or metal plate.

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, F is the switch or contact making andbreaking device arrangedin the main or a branch line, and operated by apair of electro magnets f, the said electro magnets being respectivelyenergized by a separate current from a Leclanch or other single cellbattery G when one or other of the circuits from that battery iscompleted by the pressing in of one or other of the buttons g, g whichmay be located at any distance from the battery and magnets. For exampleon pressing the on button g the circuitbetween the battery G and electromagnet f will be completed; the electro magnet will be energized and thearmature f will be attracted forcibly drawing up the spring tongue fbetween and into close electrical contact with the flexible terminals f,f in the main line or branch conductor F, and allowingthe currenttherein to flow. The spring tongue f of the armature f is retained incontact with the flexible terminals f f after the magnetf has becomeimpotent, by a hook or catch with which the end of the armature f of theother electro magnet f is provided. On the other hand on retiring torest the lights in that part of the house or structure supplied withcurrent by the said conductor F, may be extinguished by reversing theswitch F, which is effected by pressing in the off button g and therebycompleting the circuit between the battery G and electro magnet f,whereupon that magnet will be in turn excited and by attracting itsarmature f provided with a hook or catch at its end as before statedwill release the armature f which will fall and withdraw its springtongue f from engagement or contact with the flexible terminals f, f andinterrupt the main circuit F. A pair of push buttons g, g may bearranged in any convenient part of the house, and at any distance fromthe main line switch F; and the battery G may be located near the pairof switch-actuating electro magnets f, f, or near the push buttons g, gand at a distance from the said electro magnets f, f. I preferablycombine with the main line or branch conductor F and theswitch-actuating magnets f, f, an automatic current interrupter such asII for unlocking the switch or bridge piece F, and breaking circuit whenthe current exceeds the normal strength or safety limit. Thisinterrupter H consists of a simple core of soft iron arranged in themain or branch line, and wound with wire of a section equal to that ofthe conductor F, or with a portion of the said conductor, its armatureit being provided with a hook h engaging with the armature f, and actingto draw back that armature when the current in the line F becomes sostrong as to energize the interrupter H sufficiently to overcome theresistance of an adjustable spring 7L2. \Vhen this takes place thearmaturef will be withdrawn, and its catch will be inoperative torestrain the armature f inits raised position, whereupon that armaturefwill fall and its spring tonguef will break contact with the terminalsfflf andinterrupt the circuit in the line F. Instead of the springtonguef and flexible tcrminalsfflf I may use mercury connections such asare indicated at Fig.8. In this case the circuit is made by allowing thebridge piecef to drop into the mercury terminal cupsftf and is broken byliftingthesaidbridge pieceoutof thesaidcups; hence the functions of themagnetsfifare reversed in this arrangement, and the magnet f is thatwhich effects the closing of the circuit and the magnetf that whichopens the said circuit. The push buttons g, g respectively therefore inthis arrangement act reversely to those in Fig. 7. I might use the wellknown balanced rocking mercury switch in lieu of the spring tongue andflexible terminals, or bridge piece and mercury cups above described foreffecting the same object, combining it with a pair of magnetsfif and aLeclanch or other battery 2 nd a pairof separate circuits from thatbattery in the manner and for the purpose above explained, but I preferto employ the formsof switch shown in Figs. 7 and S. V y

In Fig. 9 is represented in diagram view the automatic cconomizerrepresented by similar letters of reference in Fig. 1 and consisting inthe combination with a socket containing a pair of fixed terminals forthe reception of a detachable bracket lamp such as A, and with a pilotlight such as B, of suitable circuit connections or leads, a movablebridge piece 0 in the circuit leading to the pilot light B,and anelectro magnet or its equivalent D in the circuitleading to the pair offixed terminals, whereby the bracketA is fixed in position and a currentflows through the circuit in which the magnet D is located, the bridgepiece 0 will be deflected and the circuit leading to the pilot light Bbe interrupted, thereby extinguishing that light, but allowing it tobecome again incandescent so soon as the bracket A is detached, and thebridge piece 0 falls under the influence of a light spring 0.

In Fig. 10, I have shown in plan and sectional views the two parts of myspring snap attachment for securing lamps to their sockets. In thesefigures, K is a block of insulating material supported on the end of thebracket or lamp support, and provided with a pair of metal plates k, kof semi-circular or segmental for-m fixed over or across ashallow recessin the block K, with their flat sides facing one another but at somedistance apart.

The wires are connected respectively to their I plates k, k. Lrepresents the base of the lamp holder carrying flat spring tongues of Lshape also insulated, the one from the other. These spring tongues areof suchwidth aswil-l allow of their being inserted between the plates70, 7c and their ends are slightly bent to engage with the under side ofthe said plates when the base of the holder TA and its spring tonguesare turnedaquarter round, the-springtongues yielding to allow of thismovementandsnapping into place and pressing throughout their place.

when desired. For heavier work I use the strong form of spring-snapconnection shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 inwhich thetongues which engagewith the terminal plates are rigid, and the locking is effected by aseparate spring as above described. Thus itwill be-seen that by myimproved arrangement of electricalv connections a pilot light may beleft burning in a room which will be automatically exti-nguis'hed whenother local lights are used, in that room, but which, if desired, can beused 1 in conjunction with those lights; that the pilot light may belighted or extinguished from anycon-venient part of the house, as forinstance on entering the dining room from the drawing room oi fviceversa, or when returning from town, or on retiring to bed, and

this by using a feeble source of electricity such as is sufficient towork an ordinaryelectric bell, thereby economizing the electric lightcurrent; and finally that the pilot and other lamps in the room may belighted or extinguished if desired, individually, within the roomitself, by means of the simple spring snap connection above described.By this.

arrangement of circuit connections the most complete control over thelamps in a room or house .can be exercised, and a great economy ofcurrent be effected.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of mysaidinvention and in what manner the same is be performed, I declare thatwhat I claim is- 1. In combination, in an electric lighting system, themain circuit, the pilot lamp therein, the bracket lamp or lampsdetachably connected to their supports and the cut out for the pilotlamp operated by the insertion of the bracket lamp, substantially asdescribed.

2. In combination, in an'electric lighting system, the main circuit,-thepilot lamp therein, the bracket lamp detachably connected to itssupport, the cut out for the pilot lamp arranged to be operated by theinsertion of the bracket lamp, the circuit breaker for the main circuit,and the supplemental circuit controlling the said circuit breaker,substantially as described.

3. In a system of electric lighting, the combination with a detachablebracket or other local lamp such as A, and wires for conveying thecurrent thereto, of a pilot lamp B, a circuit leading thereto, a bridgepiece or switch 0 in the said circuit, and an electro magnet D foroperating the said switch, for the purpose of automatically switchingthe current to or from the pilot lamp when the bracket or local lamp Ais detached or inserted as set forth. a

4. In combination, the pilot lamp inthe circuit, the detachable bracketlamp and the cut out for the pilot lamp operated by the insertion ofsaid bracket lamp, the by pass circuit 6, leading to the said pilot andthe switch E, in said 'by pass circuit'whereby the-pilot lamp may belighted when the bracket lamp is inserted.

5. In a lighting system,-the combination of the lamp, the circuittherefor and the switch E,com-prising-the push piece 10, having aconductingsheath ll thereon, the spring clip 13, between the parts ofwhich the piece 10, slides and the supporting case-for the spring clip13,

the circuit wires being connected with the parts of the spring clip, andthe said spring clip serving to support and guide the movable piece 10,substantiallyas described.

6. In combination, the main electric light circuit,a switch Fcomprisingan electro magnet f, controlling the switch lever f, ,a contact piece fcarried by saidswitch lever, the contacts f, f in the circuit betweenwhich the contact f is adapted to fit, the locking and releasing devicecontrolled by an electro magnet f suitable circuit connections andcircuit closing devices therein controlling the switch whereby eithermagnet maybe energized at will, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I havehereunto set my hand in presence oftwowitnesses.

HENRY EDMUNDS, JR. Witnesses:

ISAAC BRADLEY, E. J PITCHER.

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